Angie Kapley and Nor Othman assist people checking in to the Peace Corps event

In celebration of the 50th year anniversary of the Peace Corps, the International Programs Center hosted an event to promote the organization and recognize the work that the Peace Corps does around the world. The event included a presentation by a Peace Corps recruitment representative, a faculty/staff panel, and a reception.

Recruitment representative Sherlene Ferguson addresses the crowd

About 50 students, faculty, staff, community members, and returned Peace Corps volunteers attended. Prior to the event, Michael Elliott, Director of Student & Scholar Services and returned Peace Corps volunteer, led a Global Leadership Program (GLP) workshop to get the GLP students talking and thinking about what the Peace Corps is all about.

Sherlene Ferguson, the regional recruitment representative, started off the event by giving the historical background of Peace Corps, which all started in 1960 when President John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan by asking them to give their time to serve people in developing countries around the world. A year later, the Peace Corps was established to make this service a reality. Sharlene shared typical questions people have about safety, opportunities, and expectations.

Following the presentation, attendees had a chance to hear about first-hand experiences from a panel of Peace Corps alumni who now work at UNCG. The panel included Dr. Darlene Xiomara Rodriguez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, and Michael Elliott.

The event concluded with a final question and answer session and informal reception where students talked with each other and with the recruiter to get more information on how they can make a difference through Peace Corps.